Page 2847 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 16 August 2017
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course, requires further resources and training for not only more patrols but so that inspectors know how to identify and what standards to apply in issuing fines for misuse.
We know the preference for this government is to have a greater public transport dependence and to that end car parks are becoming an endangered species, especially in the city areas. I note the motion moved earlier today by Mr Steel which stated that Canberra needs a fully integrated transport network that, inter alia, “encourages an active and healthy community by providing opportunities to incorporate walking and cycling into the daily commute”. I am sure no-one would argue with the sentiment behind his words. I am also sure that there are many in the disability community who would love the opportunity to incorporate walking and cycling into their daily commute and many who would be prepared to use accessible public transport.
The new light rail, if you happen to live somewhere between Gungahlin and the city and near a stop, or if there is a car park close enough to a tram stop, may be one option. However the current bus services and bus stops, even if the particular bus you want to use does has mobility access, are difficult to negotiate safely on your own in a wheelchair or with other mobility aids.
For the majority of Canberrans, the reality is that you do need a car whether you have a disability or not and the need of course is even greater when mobility is limited.
At 6 pm, in accordance with standing order 34, the debate was interrupted. The motion for the adjournment of the Assembly having been put and negatived, the debate was resumed.
MS LEE: Which brings me to the third issue, and that is mobility permits, both the issuing of them and the monitoring of their proper use. In response to a question I asked on notice during estimates I was advised that there are currently 22,706 mobility permits in use. The permit system is an Australia-wide one which means permit holders can take their ACT-issued permit with them when they travel interstate and it is legally accepted across the country.
There is also provision for permits to be issued on a temporary basis to people recovering from surgery or an accident. Women With Disabilities ACT has suggested that the process for retrieving or invalidating these temporary permits needs to be improved to ensure that they are not being abused by people who no longer need them.
In discussing this motion with staff from Minister Ramsay’s office I was advised that an example of an issue that is being considered by the government is the application form itself and what can be done to improve the way in which eligibility for parking permits is assessed. In response to the government’s announcement to impose much steeper fines for illegal parking in mobility parking spaces, the Chief Minister told the Canberra Times:
There is a lot of anecdotal evidence these permits are not being used appropriately and that they are being traded and passed around and there are people who really should not be utilising those permits who are doing so.
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